Councilmembers present: Alan Kiest, Carolyn Armanini, Dwight Thompson, Mary Jane Goss, Nate Herzog, Roger Olstad, Ed Sterner
Staff present: David R. Hutchinson, Mayor; Karen Haines, City Administrator; Michael Ruark, City Attorney; Dennis Peterson, Police Chief; Frank Zenk, Director of Public Services; Sarah Phillips, Government & Community Relations Manager; Neil Jensen, City Engineer; John Hawley, Finance Director; Susan Stine, City Clerk
Others present: Five visitors
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Hutchinson called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m.
FLAG SALUTE
Cmbr. Olstad led council in the pledge of allegiance.
PUBLIC HEARING – Ordinance 920/Adopting 2005 Budget
Hutchinson opened the public hearing on Ordinance 920/Adopting 2005 Budget at 7:31 p.m.
Teri Howatt, 5123 NE 187th Street, provided information regarding activities of Friends of Third Place Commons and encouraged the council to approve the mayor’s proposed budget of $20,000 for Friends of Third Place Commons. She thanked council for their past support and described some of the organization’s projects.
Karen True, 17171 Bothell Way NE, Director of Friends of Third Place Commons, thanked council for their continued support. She noted the various programs presented by Friends of Third Place Commons and asked for council’s continued support of these programs.
There being no further comments, the public hearing was closed at 7:38 p.m.
MAYOR’S REPORT
Hutchinson reported on the re-opening of Forest Park Drive celebrated on November 20 with a ribbon cutting ceremony.
Lois DeVore, 18554 26th NE, expressed her appreciation for the re-opening of Forest Park Drive and complimented the city on a job well done.
Hutchinson provided a status report on the garbage contract and additional steps needed to potentially lower rates and expand services. In response to questions and concerns raised by Cmbrs. Armanini and Goss, Hutchinson discussed how the administration intends to proceed.
He also reported on Suburban Cities Association issues.
ADOPTION OF AGENDA
Armanini requested the addition of city appointments to the Suburban Cities Policy Issues Committee under new topics for discussion.
Cmbr. Herzog moved to adopt the agenda as amended. Cmbr. Thompson seconded.
Hutchinson noted the addition of item 4 and 5 Resolution 883/Correcting Surface Water Utility Fee Adjustments and, Ordinance 922/Amending and Making Adjustments to the City’s Storm and Surface Water Utility on the first reading calendar. In response to a question from Thompson, City Attorney Ruark noted that Finance Director Hawley worked with Assistant City Attorney Rosemary Larson on the proposed ordinance and resolution in response to a request from King County for clarification of the recently adopted resolution regarding the drainage utility fee increase.
Hutchinson noted additional information on Emergency Services Coordinating Agency (ESCA) and noted Lyn Gross was here tonight to respond to questions on this subject. He noted that information has been provided on the engineering technician position also.
There was no objection to Cmbr. Kiest’s request to hear from Ms. Gross regarding ESCA after the consent calendar.
The motion to adopt the agenda as amended carried unanimously.
CITIZEN COMMENTS
Janiece Hoggatt, Stylemasters, Lake Forest Park Towne Centre, said she is here to support the proposed amendment to the sign ordinance that would allow the interior businesses in the mall to display exterior signage.
CONSENT CALENDAR
Thompson moved to adopt the consent calendar.
Kiest seconded.
Armanini requested to remove item 5, Authorization to Hire for Passport Agent Position, from the consent calendar and place it under first reading calendar.
Armanini pulled the November 18, 2004 Council Special Meeting Minutes from the consent calendar.
Armanini moved to amend the November 18, 2004 minutes as follows:
Page 4, line 45: "…materials to any interested
councilmembers upon request."
Olstad seconded. The motion to amend carried unanimously.
The motion to approve the consent calendar as amended carried unanimously.
Emergency Services Coordinating Agency (ESCA)
Lyn Gross
City Administrator Karen Haines noted one of the items proposed in the 2005 budget is to rejoin Emergency Services Coordinating Agency (ESCA) to help the city meet its emergency planning needs and introduced Lyn Gross from ESCA.
Gross gave a brief overview of the agency and its services. She described various programs provided by the agency and noted the cities who are part of their organization.
Haines noted that city staff members have looked at a number of options in response to Homeland Security requirements and believe that rejoining ESCA is the best way to update the city’s emergency planning program and to prepare the required mitigation plan. She encouraged council to consider rejoining ESCA and responded to questions from council.
FIRST READING CALENDAR
1) Resolution 880/Authorizing the Mayor to Sign an Amendment to the Interlocal Agreement with Yakima County for Jail Services
2) Resolution 881/Authorizing the Mayor to Sign Agreement to Extend Federal Medicare Only Benefits to PERS Employees Currently Not Contributing to Medicare
3) Resolution 882/Regarding Development of a Draft Design Guidelines Document Implementing Phase II of the Sustaining a Livable Lake Forest Park Project.
4) Ordinance 883/Correcting Surface Water Utility Fee Adjustments
5) Ordinance 922/Amending and Making Adjustments to the City’s Storm and Surface Water Utility Fees
6) Authorization to Hire for Passport Agent Position
Thompson moved to advance the following items to second reading calendar:
1) Resolution 880/Authorizing the Mayor to Sign an Amendment to the Interlocal Agreement with Yakima County for Jail Services
2) Resolution 881/Authorizing the Mayor to Sign Agreement to Extend Federal Medicare Only Benefits to PERS Employees Currently Not Contributing to Medicare
3) Resolution 882/Regarding Development of a Draft Design Guidelines Document Implementing Phase II of the Sustaining a Livable Lake Forest Park Project.
4) Ordinance 883/Correcting Surface Water Utility Fee Adjustments
5) Ordinance 922/Amending and Making Adjustments to the City’s Storm and Surface Water Utility Fees
6) Authorization to Hire for Passport Agent Position
Kiest seconded. The motion carried unanimously.
SECOND READING CALENDAR
Ordinance 905/Relating to City’s Sign Regulations
Thompson moved to amend Ordinance 905 as follows:
Page 5, section F: "…signs placed on the adjacent wall
or support columns not to exceed six twelve 13.5 square feet…"
Kiest seconded. The motion carried unanimously.
After further discussion, Thompson moved to amend Ordinance 905 as follows:
Section 8. A new Section 18.52.070K is
added to the Lake Forest Park Municipal Code as follows:
K. Temporary sandwich board signs relating to
farmers market may be permitted for a period not to exceed the operation of the
farmers market, subject to the following requirements:
Section 9. A new Section 18.52.070L is added to the Lake
Forest Park Municipal Code as follows:
L. Seasonal banner signs for the farmers market shall be allowed according to the following criteria:
All streetlight banner signs shall be allow for the farmer market season. These must be attached to the streetlight pole, and not to exceed 30" x 84" in size. The banners must be secured to streetlight poles and are attached in four corners and may not flutter.
Signs shall be subject to approval by the planning director. A permit shall be required for any farmers market banner. The applicant shall submit a detailed plan to the Planning Department for approval.
Section 10. A new Section 18.52.070 M is added to
the Lake Forest Park Municipal Code as follows:
Provision of items K and L shall not be construed to limit individual vendors from displaying signs.
Armanini seconded. The motion carried unanimously.
For the record, Thompson noted that Sections 8, 9 and 10 were removed from Ordinance 905 and should be considered separately. He said that the council did not vote in favor or against these sections.
After further discussion, Thompson moved that the city clerk make corrections to the re-numbering of the ordinance sections. Sterner seconded. The motion carried unanimously.
Thompson moved Ordinance 905 to the December 9, 2004 agenda final action calendar. Sterner seconded. The motion carried unanimously.
Ordinance 906/Relating to Legal Nonconforming Signs
At the request of council, City Attorney Mike Ruark noted changes made to Ordinance 906. After further discussion, Herzog moved that Ordinance 906 titled "Revised 10/14/04" as amended be accepted as the version before council. Thompson seconded. The motion carried unanimously.
Herzog directed the city clerk to correct section numbers and references in the proposed ordinance.
After further discussion, Kiest moved to postpone further consideration of Ordinance 906 until the February 24, 2005 council meeting agenda second reading calendar.
Armanini seconded. The motion carried unanimously.
Ordinance 913/Amending LFPMC 2.22.060 Relating to Commission Chair Position
Following discussion, Armanini moved to postpone further consideration of Ordinance 913/Amending LFPMC 2.22.060 Relating to Commission Chair Position until the January 13, 2005 council meeting agenda second reading calendar. Herzog seconded.
Thompson noted that he would like to see the feedback on the commission chair selection process at the December 9, 2004 meeting.
Ordinance 916/Relating to Sign Regulations; Eliminating Sunset Provision for LFPMC 18.52.080; Repealing Section 2 of Ordinance 877
Herzog moved Ordinance 916 to final action calendar at the December 9, 2004 regular meeting. Thompson seconded.
After further discussion, the motion carried unanimously.
A five-minute recess was called for at 9:07 p.m.
The meeting was resumed at 9:22 p.m.
Thompson moved to place the item, Authorization to Hire for Passport Agent Position, before council as the next item on the agenda. Armanini seconded. The motion carried unanimously.
Authorization to Hire for Passport Agent Position
Following a brief discussion regarding the position, Thompson moved authorization to hire for passport agent position. Goss seconded. The motion carried unanimously.
Ordinance 920/Adopting 2005 Budget
Hutchinson noted additional information on ESCA and the engineering technician position has been distributed to council.
Haines discussed the engineering tech position duties and funding and compared the costs for consultant services.
Kiest moved to insert item 1 of the Proposed Administration Amendment to Ordinance 920 for December 2, 2004 as follows:
1) Local Improvement Guarantee Fund: The Mayor’s Budget proposed the elimination of the Local Improvement Guarantee Fund that was established in 1968 for the purposes of guaranteeing payment for a local improvement district borrowing for our sewer system. That borrowing has long since been repaid and there is a residual of about $14,000 in that Fund.
Bond counsel states that all cities are required to establish and maintain a Local Improvement Guarantee Fund but may transfer any residual financial assets from the Fund to the General Fund once all obligations of the Local Improvement Guarantee Fund have been met. Since all obligations related to that borrowing have long since been repaid the Administration is proposing the following amendment to the Mayor’s 2005 Proposed Budget.
Section 7. Elimination of Local Improvement
Guarantee Fund. The Local Improvement Guarantee Fund. The Local
Improvement Guarantee Fund is hereby eliminated. Any remaining monies in the
Local Improvement Guarantee Fund will be transferred to the General Fund.
Section 7. Transfer Local Improvement Guarantee Fund Assets. The residual financial assets in the Local Improvement Guarantee Fund shall be transferred to the General Fund based upon the certification from the City’s Finance Director that there are no valid outstanding obligations of the Fund.
Armanini seconded. The motion carried unanimously.
Kiest moved to insert item 2 of the Proposed Administration Amendment to Ordinance 920 for December 2, 2004 as follows:
2) Medicare Payment Amendment: The Administration proposes to add $3,000 to the Municipal Department salaries line-item to pay a second employee for back Medicare payments. This is in addition to one employee in the Municipal Court. We need to pay retroactively for both employees because the Medicare Only provision of the Social Security Act states that we cannot separate affected employees that are in the same public retirement system, so we have to provide the same benefits for both employees.
Armanini seconded. The motion carried unanimously.
Kiest moved to insert item 3 of the Proposed Administration Amendment to Ordinance 920 for December 2, 2004 as follows:
3) Correct Mayor’s Salary: Increase the Executive budget by $500 for the Mayor’s salary. The Mayor’s salary was incorrectly calculated to take into account the changes made in the 2004 budget. This is the same change that was made to the Council salaries with the Budget Committee Amendment.
Armanini seconded. The motion carried unanimously.
Thompson moved to reinstate the 2004 transfer to the long-term bond fund of $126,000. Armanini seconded. The motion carried unanimously.
Thompson moved to amend Ordinance 920 as follows:
Page 2, section 4: "… cost-of-living adjustment.
Up to a 2.1% merit increase may be authorized by the City Council after its
review of the annual administrator’s performance evaluation. and by
a 2.1% merit increase.
Armanini seconded. The motion carried unanimously.
Thompson moved to amend Ordinance 920 as follows:
Page 3, Section 13: "…and b) Funds are only authorized on a dollar for dollar match program to match contributions to the PTA organization; …"
Armanini seconded. The motion carried unanimously.
Armanini moved to add a section 15 and renumber Ordinance 920 as follows:
Section 15. Access to the city’s medical, dental and vision insurance plans will be provided to council members at their own expense.
Thompson seconded.
Finance Director John Hawley said that additional information would be provided for discussion at the December 9, 2004 council meeting.
After further discussion, the motion carried unanimously.
In response to questions from councilmembers, Hawley discussed issues related to the general fund financial forecast.
Olstad proposed that the budget for Friends of Third Place Commons should parallel the proposed budget for the Shoreline/Lake Forest Park Arts Council.
Olstad moved to amend Ordinance 920 on Page 2, section 10, Friends of Third Place Commons Development Grant Match, to show a program grant of $10,000 and a $5,000 matching grant, with the match being dependent upon $5,000 of individual memberships to the Friends of Third Place Commons.
Herzog seconded.
Olstad spoke in support of the Friends of Third Place Commons and discussed the programs provided and the support of the community. He expressed his appreciation for the unique public/private partnership and the contribution of the space by Third Place owner Ron Sher.
Herzog said that the $15,000 for the Shoreline/Lake Forest Park Arts Council goes directly to fund art programs. Herzog said that the city council provided a $7,500 development grant in the 2004 budget, which was intended to be a one-time contribution. Herzog said the proposed $2,500 is reasonable.
Sterner said that he could not support the proposed amendment but would consider a more gradual transition from the 2004 level of support.
After further discussion, the motion did not carry 1-6 (Aye—Olstad; Nay—Kiest, Armanini, Thompson, Herzog, Goss, Sterner).
Sterner moved to amend Ordinance 920 as follows:
Page 2, Section 10, Friends of Third Place Commons
Development Grant Match: "..limited to $2,500 $3,750 The
$2,500 $3,750 may only be approved…."
Olstad seconded. The motion did not carry 2-5 (Aye—Sterner, Olstad; Nay—Kiest, Armanini, Thompson, Goss. Herzog).
Thompson moved that Ordinance 920 be held over to the December 9, 2004 council meeting for second reading and final action. He said that the public should be made aware that Ordinance 920 would be on final action calendar at the December 9, 2004 meeting.
Armanini seconded. The motion carried unanimously.
Ordinance 921/Approving City Sewer Rate Increase to Reflect King County METRO Increase
Thompson moved to advance Ordinance 921/Approving City Sewer Rate Increase to Reflect King County METRO Increase to final action calendar.
Olstad seconded. The motion carried unanimously.
Resolution 881/Authorizing the Mayor to Sign Agreement to Extend Federal Medicare Only Benefits to PERS Employees Currently Not Contributing to Medicare
Thompson moved to adopt Resolution 881/Authorizing the Mayor to Sign Agreement to Extend Federal Medicare Only Benefits to PERS Employees Currently Not Contributing to Medicare. Kiest seconded. The motion carried unanimously.
Resolution 882/Regarding Development of a Draft Design Guidelines Document Implementing Phase II of the Sustaining a Livable Lake Forest Park Project
Herzog moved to adopt Resolution 882/Regarding Development of a Draft Design Guidelines Document Implementing Phase II of the Sustaining a Livable Lake Forest Park Project. Olstad seconded.
Following discussion, the motion carried unanimously.
Resolution 880/Authorizing the Mayor to Sign an Amendment to the Interlocal Agreement with Yakima County for Jail Services
Sterner moved to adopt Resolution 880/Authorizing the Mayor to Sign an Amendment to the Interlocal Agreement with Yakima County for Jail Services. Kiest seconded. The motion carried unanimously.
Cmbr. Armanini exited the meeting at 10:14 p.m.
Ordinance 883, Correcting Surface Water Utility Fee Adjustments
Ordinance 922/Amending and Making Adjustments to the City’s Storm and Surface Water Utility Fees
Thompson moved to advance Ordinance 883/Correcting Surface Water Utility Fee Adjustments and Ordinance 922/Amending and Making Adjustments to the City’s Storm and Surface Water Utility Fees to second reading calendar and final action calendar at the December 9, 2004 council meeting.
Kiest seconded. The motion carried unanimously.
FINAL ACTION CALENDAR
Ordinance 921/Approving City Sewer Rate Increase to Reflect King County METRO Increase
Thompson moved to adopt Ordinance 921/Approving City Sewer Rate Increase to Reflect King County METRO Increase. Kiest seconded. The motion carried unanimously.
NEW BUSINESS
Reports—Council
Kiest provided information regarding the Reinvesting in Youth program.
Goss reported on SeaShore Transportation and discussed the nominating committee process.
Olstad noted the availability of the WRIA 8 Salmon Conservation Plan report online and on disc.
Sterner noted his attendance at the state Family Policy Council meetings and reported on topics and programs of interest.
Excuse Cmbrs. Thompson and Armanini
Herzog moved to excuse Cmbr. Thompson and Cmbr. Armanini from tonight’s study session.
Goss seconded. The motion carried unanimously.
New topics for discussion
Hutchinson noted that city appointments to the Suburban Cities Policy Issues Committee would be included on the December 9, 2004 agenda.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no objection, the meeting was adjourned at 10:30 p.m.
Susan Stine, City Clerk
David R. Hutchinson, Mayor
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